The Ten Benefits of Turmeric You Need To Know

August 30, 2016

Maggie Martin

From keeping you young to preventing cancer and memory loss, turmeric has been shown to have a number of health benefits for your body. While much research still needs to be done, turmeric is being hailed as a superfood, deserving a permanent spot in your diet. This article discusses the top ten benefits of adding more turmeric to your food.

The benefits of eating turmeric are well documented, to the point that turmeric has been declared a superfood. But does turmeric deserve a place in your diet? Here are some of the health benefits of adding turmeric to your diet.

1. Helps Fight Aging

Curcumin is one of the antioxidants found in turmeric. It is a powerful anti-aging supplement. Not only does curcumin fight the diseases that contribute to aging, but it also has anti-aging properties that protect the skin, helping you look younger while enjoying a healthier life.

2. Reduces Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is responsible for much of the damage done to our bodies as we age. It damages the tissues and organs, leading to pain and disease. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which reduces chronic inflammation and the associated pain. It contains curcumin, which blocks an inflammatory substance called NF-Kb.

Patients suffering from arthritis inflammatory skin conditions, heart disease, many cancers, and other diseases caused by chronic inflammation can all benefit from consuming turmeric on a regular basis.

3. Helps Depression

Turmeric can help lift your mood, acting in ways similar to anti-depressant drugs. It helps produce more serotonin and dopamine in the brain, the chemicals responsible for feelings of happiness and pleasure.

4. Treats Arthritis

Turmeric reduces the inflammation around the joints that causes arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, turmeric for arthritis pain is more effective than the commonly prescribed drugs.

5. May prevent or Treat Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most feared diseases of aging. Rates of Alzheimer’s in India are low, however, partly because of their consumption of turmeric. Recent studies indicate that eating turmeric may slow or even prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. More studies are needed on this, but the results are promising enough for doctors to recommend the consumption of turmeric daily.

6. Prevents Cancer

This pungent spice may help protect the body against cancer. Animal studies indicate that turmeric is able to prevent some cancers and stop the growth of developing tumors. Cancers of the digestive system, such as stomach and colon cancers, show the most response to turmeric, but research is promising for the prevention and treatment of brain tumors prostate cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, and other cancers. Equally important, turmeric acts to prevent metastasis, the spread of cancer to other areas of the body.

7. Protects Your Heart

Heart disease is one of the biggest killer diseases of our time. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, turmeric protects the heart and has even been shown to reverse some of the effects of heart disease. The curcumin improves the elasticity of the lining of the blood vessels thereby reducing high blood pressure and the buildup of plaque that causes so many problems.

8. Protects Your Memory

Turmeric helps maintain healthy levels of BDNF hormone (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is responsible for a large number of brain functions. Eating turmeric helps protect your brain from the memory loss and poor functioning that often begins with the aging process. It may even have regenerative properties.

9. May Increase Weight Loss

There is some evidence that turmeric may help the body lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Curcumin increases the fat burning signals in the body, lowers insulin resistance, lowers blood sugars, and reduces leptin resistance. The research on weight loss in humans is yet to be done, but animal studies are promising.

10. Antibacterial

Turmeric is a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic agent. It works when consumed or applied to the skin as a paste.

Not for Everyone

Concentrated curcumin supplements may not be safe for people taking certain medications or are suffering from gall bladder problems or reflux diseases. Pregnant women should also avoid high doses of curcumin. To be safe, consult your doctor about all supplements.

For best results, consume this powerful superfood with a dietary fat and freshly ground pepper. These two ingredients boost the absorption and effectiveness of curcumin in the body. Although research has just begun on turmeric and curcumin, results so far indicate that turmeric has many benefits for the body. As a bonus, turmeric spices up your food while it keeps you healthy.